Effect of Various Chromatographic Fractions of Neem Seed Oil on Sperm Dynamics and Testicular Cell Population Dynamics of Male Albino Rats

摘要

AbstractThe current study was undertaken to observe the effect of oral administration of Neem seed oil and its various chromatographic fractions on sperm dynamics and testicular cell population dynamics of male albino rats. Significant reduction in sperm density in testis and cauda epididymis and sperm motility in cauda epididymis was observed in male rats treated with neem seed oil and its various chromatographic fractions for 60 days. The maximum reduction in sperm motility and sperm density was observed in rats treated with neem seed oil fraction III and fraction IV Results of testicular cell population dynamics showed the arrest of spermatogenesis at spermatid stage after treatment with neem seed oil and its various chromatographic fractions suggesting the antiandrogenic nature of neem seed oil fractions. It is suggested that the antifertility effect of neem seed oil and its fraction in male albino rats was through inhibition of FSH and LH secretion and steroidogenesis via hypothalamo-hypophyseal gonadal axis. The neem seed oil fractions III and IV were shown to be the most potent contraceptive agents among all the fractions.